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Lymphocyte Isolation from Human Skin for Phenotypic Analysis and Ex Vivo Cell Culture
Published on: April 8, 2016
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Isolation of Human Skin Dendritic Cell Subsets.
Merry Gunawan1, Laura Jardine1, Muzlifah Haniffa2
1Human DC Lab, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|May 5, 2016
Summary
Human skin contains abundant dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages, making skin explants a valuable source for studying these immune cells. Protocols are provided to isolate and identify skin DCs and macrophages using flow cytometry.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial leukocytes for antigen processing and presentation.
- DCs exist in various subsets, differing by location, phenotype, and function.
- Human skin harbors significantly more DCs than peripheral blood, with a more mature phenotype.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail protocols for isolating dendritic cells (DCs) and resident macrophages from human skin.
- To provide a multiparameter flow cytometry gating strategy for identifying human skin DCs and distinguishing them from macrophages.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages from human skin explants.
- Utilization of multiparameter flow cytometry for cell identification and characterization.
Main Results:
- Skin explants offer an accessible source of mature dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages.
- A reliable flow cytometry gating strategy enables accurate identification of skin DCs and differentiation from macrophages.
Conclusions:
- Human skin is a rich source of dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages, ideal for immunological studies.
- Established protocols and flow cytometry methods facilitate the isolation and identification of these critical immune cells from skin.
